Diabetes Drug Shows Promise in Reducing Gout Medication Use
New research indicates that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), a class of diabetes drugs, may reduce the need for urate-lowering therapy and gout flare treatments in patients with both type 2 diabetes and gout. The study, presented at the American College of Rheumatology 2024 Annual Meeting, found a 31% lower rate of initiation of urate-lowering therapy among SGLT2i users. While not yet altering standard gout management, these findings suggest potential benefits of SGLT2i as an adjunct therapy, possibly reducing the burden of polypharmacy and disease complications.